R35 – MM/MC phono preamplifier

HiFi+, UK, October 2021
HiFi+ Innovation Award 2021

Primare have received an Innovation award from HiFi+ with the following citation:

“First founded in 1985 by industrial designer Bo Christensen, Primare’s is perhaps one of the most recognisably Scandinavian brands in audio. Its combination of minimalism and good performance all point to a Swedish brand.

So, when Primare uses a Swedish word to describe its ethos, perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised. That word is ‘Lagom’ (pronounced ‘laah-goam’) and roughly translates to ‘just the right amount.’ In Primare’s world this means keeping everything in balance, harmony and proportion, and that the music – rather than the technology or the box in which it comes – should be the focus of audio.

HVT, The Netherlands, June 2021
R35: Viking and Vinyl

“What I like about the ‘no nonsense’ aspect of the R35 that is so appealing is that the character of the vinyl (recording, production, quality of mix, master and pressing) is presented quite frankly and not uncritically. My bad records really don’t get any better and the good versions sound better than I’ve ever heard them.”

Lyd & Bilde, Norway
R35 – 6 Star Review

”If you are looking for a flexible phono stage that can be used on all pickups, and that plays heavenly without breaking the bank completely, the Primare R35 is one of the best choices in the price range below NOK 20,000. Outstanding / 6 stars ”

View full review

Stereo+, Norway, January 2021
Primare R35 awarded Phono Preamp Product of the Year 2020-2021 by Stereo+

HiFi+, UK, November 2020
R35: Primare R35 solid-state, MM/MC phono stage

“The Primare R35 is that rare thing: an audio component with a lot of features that also sounds exceptionally revealing. Usually, it’s one or the other, so getting both in a professionally executed package with some superior styling touches at a sensible price is quite an achievement.”

Stereo+, Norway, September 2020
R35: Sound on the Very Top Shelf

“Only seconds into the first track, it is clear that the Primare R35 creates a large and beautiful three-dimensional space, and it does so without over focusing on certain instruments or certain areas of the frequency range. The sound is very well balanced, the dynamics are excellent, and the sound is neat and precisely reproduced… The focus on voices and instruments is excellent and makes the music experience believable and natural. The voices are drawn in the middle, with the rest of the band or orchestra beautifully and neatly placed in both width and depth on the back. Five Stars.”

Hi-Fi News, UK, May 2020
R35: Primare R35

“Primare R35 – Flagship phono stage is an analogue triumph… it is an incredibly flexible and capable phono stage that seemingly has the ability to extract the very best from any cartridge that crosses its path. A rare feat at any price, this only further pumps up the R35’s value. OUTSTANDING PRODUCT.”

Alpha-Audio, The Netherlands, June 2020
R35: Review Primare R35 phono pre-amp

“Primare proves with the R35 that a top product does not have to cost power. What a fantastic sounding preamp for your record player and cartridge. Your vinyl will sound better no matter what element you connect to it. You get detail, musicality, dynamics, soundstage, in short everything that makes music. The R35 allows you to fine-tune the tuning in detail, which is a job that will reward you richly. We will use this Primare R35 as a reference phono preamp and that of course includes an Alpha Approved predicate. Bra gjort (“well done” in Swedish), Primare! Five Stars, Alpha Approved.”

Audio, Germany, May 2020
R35: Professional Appearance

“Technically well designed, the Primare R35 is at the forefront of its price range. Not as a show off, but with strict neutrality with no effort. That is what I call to the point.”